Suspect

Staring at the man on the surveillance feed, Chen Ge connected all his abnormal movements, his fingers slowly tightening.

He didn't say a word, standing right there in the Integrated Management Office as he pulled out his phone and dialed the number for Captain Li at the West City Police Station.

"Uncle Sanbao, I need to report a crime!"

"First, the emergency number is 110; calling me is useless. Second, call me Director Li." The call was answered after two rings, and Captain Li's gravelly voice came through the receiver.

"I've found the last person who escaped from the Ping An Apartment Massacre! He's been to New Century Park!"

"Are you sure?" Upon hearing this, the tone of Captain Li's voice shifted instantly.

"It's definitely him. You must not come over in police cars; avoid alerting him and causing him to become suspicious."

"We'll be there in fifteen minutes!"

The call ended. Chen Ge held his phone, his eyes remaining fixed on the surveillance screen.

The staff nearby sensed something was wrong and quickly called for Uncle Xu.

"What's going on?" A moment later, Uncle Xu walked in carrying a water bottle. "You aren't even letting yourself eat properly. Xiao Chen, why aren't you back at your Haunted House instead of running over here?"

He walked over to the monitors, and seeing the phone in Chen Ge's hand, he asked tentatively, "Who were you just talking to?"

"The police."

Chen Ge didn't turn around, his gaze shifting between the various surveillance screens. "They should be here within fifteen minutes."

"The police?! Why didn't you discuss such a big matter with me first!" Uncle Xu's voice rose sharply. "The park has comprehensive protocols for natural disasters and malicious incidents..."

"Uncle Xu." Chen Ge turned around, cutting him off. His expression was calm, but his pupils held a chilling, indescribable intensity. "Someone is trying to kill me!"

As soon as he said this, the Integrated Management Office fell silent, and every employee looked in his direction.

"Chen Ge, have you been staying in that Haunted House for too long? Has your mind been affected by something?" Uncle Xu stopped calling him Xiao Chen and used his full name. "What nonsense are you spouting in broad daylight!"

"I assisted the police in solving the Ping An Apartment Massacre from five years ago, but there is still one perpetrator involved in that case who remains at large."

By the time Chen Ge finished, Uncle Xu had caught on. "You're saying that person snuck into the park? Planning to take revenge on you?"

"I thought he would have fled to another province or city, but who would have thought he'd be bold enough to do this." Chen Ge pointed to the man on the monitor. "This visitor is acting strangely. He's wearing long sleeves and a baseball cap, covering his face completely. The weather isn't cold, yet his hands are buried deep in his pockets. Even when smoking or drinking water, he only uses his right hand; his left hand has never once left his pocket."

"What does that prove? Maybe it's just a personal habit." Uncle Xu set down his water bottle and closed the door to the Integrated Management Office.

"The suspect at large is named Zhang Peng. His height and build are almost identical to the man on the monitor. Most importantly, Zhang Peng has a peony tattooed on the back of his left hand."

"A peony?"

"When the peony blooms, wealth follows. That man is a desperate gambler who has lost everything."

"You mean he's keeping his left hand in his pocket because he's afraid of exposing the tattoo?" Uncle Xu began to feel nervous as well. "Is it possible he's just suffering from a skin condition?"

"I have other evidence." Chen Ge switched the surveillance feed. "After entering the park, he only went on the Ferris Wheel, and he rode it three times in a row. Do you know what that means?"

"What could that possibly mean?" Uncle Xu was having trouble keeping up with Chen Ge's pace.

"The Ferris Wheel is the highest point in the entire park. He was overlooking the park to plan his escape route." Chen Ge slowed down the footage. "When Xu Wan and I left the Haunted House for the cafeteria, I noticed him skulking near the Haunted House. He spent the whole morning lingering in the vicinity, but he never came over. He waited until the guard left before approaching. That is not something a normal visitor would do."

"You're right." Uncle Xu nodded, feeling that Chen Ge's reasoning was sound. "Then why would he approach the Haunted House when no one was around?"

Chen Ge tapped his fingers on the desk. "Put yourself in his shoes. If I wanted to kill a Haunted House owner in the safest way possible, I would hide inside the Haunted House beforehand. When the house is closed for prop maintenance, I would strike unexpectedly and deliver a fatal blow. The environment inside is complex and easy to hide in, and it's convenient for hiding a body after the murder. As long as the bloodstains are handled, the body wouldn't be discovered until the next day at the earliest."

Uncle Xu felt a chill run down his spine at Chen Ge's words. A vivid scene had already formed in his mind. "That really is terrifying."

"It's not just terrifying; it almost happened!" Chen Ge withdrew his gaze, his clenched fist slowly relaxing. "Fortunately, he was too impatient, and fortunately, I've encountered many strange things lately, so my nerves have been on high alert, which is how I spotted him."

"Where is he now? Do I need to evacuate the visitors?" Uncle Xu realized the severity of the situation.

"He left the park after I spotted him. I hadn't checked the surveillance yet, so I couldn't be certain of my suspicions, which is why I didn't stop him."

"You did well. If that suspect had gone crazy inside the park, it would have caused a massive panic." Uncle Xu took a drink of water and said to the staff nearby, "The police will be here shortly; everyone, please cooperate."

Over ten minutes later, the door to the Integrated Management Office was pushed open. Three men in plainclothes entered, and the one in the lead carrying a laptop was Li Sanbao. "Where is Chen Ge? Let me see the surveillance footage you have here."

With the help of the staff, Captain Li compared the man on the monitor with the photos in the police database and ultimately confirmed they were the same person!

"You've done a great service again, kid." Captain Li clapped Chen Ge on the shoulder and took out his phone to contact the municipal bureau to report the situation. After consulting, they decided to split into two groups: one to track him down in secret, and the other to set up a perimeter around New Century Park.

"Zhang Peng is extremely dangerous. You must be careful now that you're on his radar. There is a high probability he will return. I suggest you stay away from the Haunted House for the time being."

After Captain Li finished speaking, the employees in the Integrated Management Office felt uneasy, but Chen Ge, the person directly involved, remained calm. "If I'm not there, Xiao Wan can't keep the Haunted House running on her own. Once the house closes, Zhang Peng will definitely notice something is wrong. He's too cunning; he won't take the bait."

"So you're saying you intend to act as the bait yourself inside the Haunted House?" Captain Li frowned, feeling it was too risky.

"Don't worry. As long as he dares to enter my Haunted House, I'll make sure he never leaves."